In Morocco, tea is a very important part of the
culture, which is why Moroccan tea glasses and tea pots are of such importance.
For the people that live and dwell in Morocco, tea is as much a part of the
everyday as is breathing, eating, and living in general. Where most of the Arab
countries are avid coffee drinkers, Morocco stands apart with their incredible
love of tea. Tea is consumed on a daily basis for the majority of Moroccans and
even though there is no dictate on specific times to serve tea, it is always
served on a traditional Moroccan tea set. Tea sets consist of tea glasses, a
tea pot, and a serving tray. The following information is but a small part of
the amazing Moroccan tea tradition, its history, and the specifics about the
individual pieces.

Tea
Glasses

Traditional Moroccan tea glasses are the same today
as they were many years ago. They can be incredibly ornate or they can be very
subdued. They generally have intricate designs woven over the entirety of each
glass. They also have several colors interwoven in each design. It is quite
common for Moroccans to use their tea sets as a way to impress guests. The
standard of the tea pot, tea glasses, and entire tea service set tells much
about the person serving with it. Each and every set is unique, with its own
color combination and design. Even the most simple of tea sets is a sight to
behold for any art lover, tea lover, or both. Tea glasses are a must for anyone
who wants to use a piece of art on a daily basis.

Teapots

Moroccan tea pots are as much a piece of art as they
are a serviceable piece of equipment. They are often quite elaborate in nature
but can also be very simple in design. It is customary for Moroccans to use
their tea sets to impress even the noblest of guests. On average a Moroccan
teapot holds approximately five cups in U.S. measurements of water. After
fixing the tea and placing it in the Moroccan teapot, the pot is placed on the
serving tray and surrounded by the Moroccan tea glasses. This creates a
complete set and a beautiful center piece, tea service, shelf decoration (minus
the tea of course), general conversation starter, or all of the above. A
complete Moroccan tea set is a genuinely amazing thing to own, even for non-tea
drinkers.

Serving
Tray

To have a set in its entirety a serving tray must be
included. The traditional tray used with Moroccan tea sets is called a Siniya
and is an essential part of the set. The Siniya is a very ornate piece,
generally silver. It is used to carry the tea glasses and teapot anytime the
set is used but especially when serving guests. Serving trays are used for many
things in Morocco but perhaps the best know is the one that accompanies a tea
set. The serving tray is what brings the set together and makes it a whole.
While a single teapot or set of Moroccan tea cups is beautiful on its own, a
set that includes the serving tray is even better. It provides a stabilizing
point for the rest of the set to revolve around.

Why own a Moroccan
tea set?There are many reasons to own a Moroccan tea set. First of all, they
make for a wonderful conversion starter when you serve from them; no matter
where you live a nice Moroccan tea set will say a lot about you and often go a
long way to impressing a guest. If you are hosting co-workers, a boss, a
potential client, a family member, or a friend that you want to make a positive
impression on, all you have to do is pull out a beautiful Moroccan tea set and
you will have them raving. It is also nice to serve out of them for special
occasions such as holiday dinners or birthdays. Another great thing about
having Moroccan tea glasses is the decorative options it offers. It is never an
issue over where to store a set like this because the glasses and teapot will
look lovely on any shelf or display. Then when you want to use them they are
easily accessible and ready to go.

The history surrounding the use of tea in Morocco is an interesting subject
that can be used anytime there is a lull in conversation; at the very least a
person’s interest will be piqued. If you happen to have a traditional Moroccan
tea set or even just a single Moroccan tea glass you can turn the conversation
into an opportunity to not only show off your wonderful piece, but also to
educate someone else on the rich Moroccan tea culture. It is always a wonderful
idea to serve traditional Moroccan mint green tea in a Moroccan tea set; it
makes for an even more authentic experience.It is said that it tastes very much like spearmint gum. Even if
you choose to serve other kinds of tea, a Moroccan tea pot is most definitely a
fine choice to serve it out of. No matter how you look at it, it is never a bad
idea to own a traditional Moroccan tea set.

Choosing to own a set of Moroccan tea glasses or an entire tea set is an
entirely personal choice. These sets are not for everyone but for a tea lover
or someone with an intense interest in the history and culture of Morocco
and/or tea it makes for a wonderful addition for the home. Next time you are
trying to decide on a gift for a loved one, consider a beautiful Moroccan tea
glass, teapot, or entire tea set. It will be the gift that keeps on giving due
to its useful nature and immersion in Moroccan cultural history. Tea first
became a part of Moroccan culture in the 1700’s but it has since become so
ingrained in the Moroccan way of life that it is as much a part of Morocco as
its people are.